Runway work gives Valley a future for the next 25 years
A £20m project to resurface the main runway at RAF Valley has been praised for securing the station’s future for the next 25 years.
Last week, defence secretary Michael Fallon visited the base on Anglesey to see the finishing touches being carried out on the relaid 7,500ft main runway, following 18 months of work.
The tender, which was won by the DIO consortium, has also seen a new airside perimeter road, new visual aids, aeronautical lighting and signage, marking the first major resurfacing works since 1995.
According to RAF Valley bosses, the work has extended the life of the station and secured more than 1,000 jobs on the island.
Mr Fallon said: “This vital new runway gives RAF Valley a future for the next 25 years as the home of our fighter pilot training.
“This is our fighter school, where we train the fighters that fly our Typhoons, dealing with terrorism in the Middle East, and will fly our Lightnings, the planes that will fly off the aircraft carriers we’re building.
“So this is a vital part of the RAF’s frontline.”
During his visit, accompanied by Wales Office Minister Guto Bebb, Mr Fallon met runway project managers and contractors.
Mr Bebb, the MP for Aberconwy, added: “This investment means we’ve secured this site for another 25 years and, from a Welsh economy point of view, it’s absoloutely crucial.
“This site employs 1,300 peo- ple, 72% are civilian contractors, so this is great news for the region.”
The refurbished runway – Runway 31 – is the longest at Valley.
It is aligned on a North West (Llanfair neubwll) to South East (Rhosneigr) axis, measuring 7,513 feet (2290m) in length.